Bowden said before Cincinnati's 6-4, 13-inning victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday that he doesn't expect a strike by major league players. Union head Donald Fehr has been meeting with players to brief them about the status of talks.

"If players want to strike, they ought to just pick Sept. 11, because that's what it's going to do to the game," Bowden said. "I don't think there's going to be a work stoppage. I don't think anybody's that dumb.

"If they do walk out, make sure it's Sept. 11. Be symbolic. Let Donald Fehr drive the plane right into the building, if that's what they want to do."

After the game, the Reds released a statement by Bowden apologizing for the analogy.

"Earlier today while speaking to a group of reporters, I made a horrible comparison between baseball's labor situation and the tragedy of 9/11," the statement said. "I regret making such extremely insensitive remarks, and I apologize to anyone I may have offended. I am truly sorry."

The executive board of the players' association could set a strike date as soon as next week, after Fehr completes his meetings.